Peregrine Falcon Timeline
Genus species: Falco peregrinus
- 1947 - DDT introduced for use as a pesticide in the U.S.
- 1970 - Two of the three subspecies of peregrine falcon (American and Arctic) are classified as endangered under the Endangered Species Act of 1969.
- 1972 - The Environmental Protection Agency outlaws DDT as a pesticide due to its link to the thinning of eggshells which reduces hatching success.
- 1975 - Survey indicated only 324 nesting pairs exist in North America, compared to approximately 3,875 prior to DDT usage.
- Between 1980-1990, the number of known pairs on territories in North America tripled from 499 to 1540.
- In the western U.S., 2,722 peregrines were released from 1974 to 1994.
- 1994 - Artic peregrine falcon is delisted due to recovery.
- 1999 - American peregrine falcon is delisted due recovery.
- One of the most successful species recoveries in the world.
- DDT continues to be used in many Latin American countries where some peregrine falcons and their prey migrate to in the winter.